FIRE
RISK ASSESSMENT
“The
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order” (FSO)
As
part of it's commitment
to reduce death, injury and damage caused by fire,
The Government has reviewed the fire safety law and
has introduced “The Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO)".
The
changes apply to non-domestic premises and took effect
from the 1st October 2006, throughout England and
Wales. The FSO has replaced most existing general
fire safety legislation. For example, fire certificates
have now been abolished and cease to have any legal
status. The new fire legislation covers fire precautions
and other fire safety duties which are needed to protect
people in case of a fire in non-domestic premises.
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The
RRO continues the trend set by the Fire Precautions
(Workplace) Regulations 1997 (as amended in 1999)
by placing a requirement on the responsible person
for the premises (normally the employer) to ensure
that there is a suitable and sufficient fire risk
assessment of the premises on site.
A
competent person should complete the fire risk assessment
and take into account not only the risks of the building
and processes within it, but the effect a fire might
have on surrounding premises and persons. This includes
the safety of the fire fighters should they need to
enter the building.
The
fire risk assessment must be regularly reviewed to
account for any changes to the building or its use.
As
from 1st October 2006, The Fire & Rescue Services
of England and Wales enforce more vigorously the new
regulations and the Government has suggested that
– “failure to have a valid fire risk assessment
could lead to prosecution under the H & S at Work
Act ”(as quoted by FIA).
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Does
“The Fire Safety Order” affect me? Yes if you
are:
• Responsible for business premises.
• An employer.
• Self employed with business premises.
• A charity or voluntary organisation.
• A contractor or agent with a degree of control over
any premises.
Fire
Risk Assessments
All
non – domestic premises with 5 or more employees and
all shared or common parts of a property with more than
one occupier are legally required to produce a written fire
risk assessment. Completing a fire risk assessment is not
only a legal requirement under the FSO; it can also deliver
realistic benefits to employers and their Company. Through
the risk assessment, the likelihood of a fire and loss of
life or injury can be significantly reduced. By taking a
few simple steps, employers can not only prevent fires breaking
out but also ensure their business continuity and safety
of their premises and employees. This is an interesting
viewpoint when you consider that:-
• 70% of businesses close within 2 years of the fire.
•
80% of businesses that suffer a moderate fire do not stay
in business, lose their market share or lose their skilled
staff to competitors.
Pyrotec
Fire Risk Assessments
Through
its trained assessors and consultants, Pyrotec can help
and guide companies through the new legislation by completing
fire risk assessments and fire risk assessment reviews on
their behalf. Assessments, time on site and the complexity
of the report will vary from site to site; but in most cases
the format will be similar. The assessment will show comments
highlighted on a checklist report and an action plan detailing
the risks under high, medium or low ratings. The action
plan will recommend target dates and who should resolve
the action points within the company structure.
Fire
Risk Assessment Reviews & Emergency Plans
Reviews
In
addition for those companies who have already completed
a fire risk assessment; we can complete professional fire
risk assessment reviews. This will help to ensure continued
compliance with the Regulatory Reforms (Fire Safety) Order
2005.
As a guide, most premises should be reviewing their assessment's
no less than 12 monthly (this may be less if any significant
changes have been made to the building or its use; in which
case a review or new assessment should be carried out immediately).
Fire
Emergency Plan
The
requirement for a suitable fire emergency plan is often
neglected; however this is a vital requirement of the fire
risk assessment process. Pyrotec can offer to create a fire
emergency plan on your behalf, including the design of fire
plans indicating fire exits, extinguishers, escape routes
etc.
Please
click below to view examples of the above
You
will need to have the latest version of Acrobat Reader in
order to view these.
For
further details to discuss your risk assessment requirements
or concerns please contact Head Office 01273 812376
